Laurentian U. suspends classes as profs hit picket line

Classes are suspended at Laurentian University this morning as faculty members hit the picket lines. (File)

SUDBURY — Classes are suspended at Laurentian University this morning as faculty members hit the picket lines.

A statement issued by the university on its website said the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) advised the university that it was going on strike as of 12:01 a.m. on September 28.

LUFA's executive said in their own website statement they had presented the administration with an offer aimed at averting a strike Wednesday night.

Rather than responding to the offer, said the union, the university left the negotiations and issued a public communication at 10:50 p.m. that an impasse had been reached.

“In light of the administration’s actions and despite our best efforts, we have to accept that there is indeed an impasse,” said the statement.

“Given these developments, LUFA is on legal strike as of 12:01 am, September 28th.”

Classes offered by Laurentian University at the Sudbury campus, at the McEwen School of Architecture and in Barrie are suspended, the university advises.

Distance education programs and online courses would are affected by the labour disruption and will be suspended as of the same date.

Classes delivered through the University of Sudbury, Huntington University, and Thorneloe University in Sudbury are suspended. Distance courses offered by the University of Sudbury as well as those offered in the James Bay communities will continue to be offered.

Courses offered through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine will continue to be offered, as will those offered by the Université de Hearst, by college partners for Laurentian’s degree in nursing, as well as for Laurentian’s Bachelor of Business Administration program at St. Lawrence College in Kingston.

The university will offer expanded non-academic and academic support programming schedule throughout the labour disruption. A detailed calendar outlining this programming can be found at my.laurentian.ca. Most student services will also be available during the labour disruption.